West Virginia
Gary is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 858. Residents earn $40,000 per year, which is 47% below the national average.
Based on current data, Gary receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Gary offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Gary is $40,000, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. The poverty rate of 21.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
The median home value in Gary is $55,600, 80% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.
Gary experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.6 inches, including 17.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
| English Only | 98.8% |
| 26% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 1.2% |
| 91% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $40,000 |
| 47% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $19,188 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,078 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $44,508 |
| Unemployment | 1.8% |
| 50% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% |
| 74% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 382 |
| County GDP | $728M |
| Restaurants | 14 |
| Healthcare | 33 |
| Retail | 44 |
| Commute Time | 35.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 99.3% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |
| Census Median | $55,600 |
| 80% below US avg |
| Studio | $714 |
| 1 Bedroom | $766 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $945 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,231 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| Owner-Occupied | 91.6% |
| Obesity | 47.0% |
| 46% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 17.9% |
| Heart Disease | 8.6% |
| High Blood Pressure | 45.2% |
| Asthma | 14.4% |
| COPD | 13.4% |
| Stroke | 4.9% |
| Binge Drinking | 13.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 43.1% |
| Depression | 32.9% |
| Mental Distress | 26.7% |
| Physical Distress | 20.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 93.4% |
| Checkup Rate | 78.3% |
| Premature Death | 24,029/100K |
| Food Environment | 6.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 27.7% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 33 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 3 |
| Annual Average | 53.4°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 44.6 inches |
| 17% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 17.6 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,431 ft (436 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,021/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3632°N, 81.5357°W |
| County FIPS | 54047 |
Winner: Republican by 60.4 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 3.4% |
| 90% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 81.9% |
| School Test Score | 4.81 |
| RUCC Code 9 | Nonmetro — Rural |
| Population Density | 1,021/sq mi |
| Total Area | 0.8 sq mi |
| Broadband Access | 89.8% |
| Public Libraries | 4 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 33 |
| Restaurants | 14 |
| Retail Stores | 44 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 3 |
| Avg Commute | 35.6 min |
| Drive Alone | 99.3% |
| Public Transit | 0.0% |
| Work from Home | 0.0% |